VENTURA, California –District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Gale Hartman (DOB 03/14/1938), was sentenced after pleading no contest to four felony counts of grand theft. Judge Bruce Young sentenced Hartman to 365 days in the Ventura County jail, with 60 months formal probation, and ordered him to pay $119,660 in victim restitution.
Hartman, while Treasurer of the Ventura Police Community Foundation and a civilian employee of the Ventura Police Department, stole approximately $119,660 from the Foundation by making systematic cash withdrawals over four years, using the Foundation’s debit card.
This fraud was discovered by the Ventura Police Department and submitted for investigation to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Investigation.
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is the public prosecutor for the county’s 850,000 residents. The office employs approximately 280 employees including attorneys, investigators, victim advocates, and other professional support staff who strive to seek justice, ensure public safety, and protect the rights of crime victims.
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